Transcript Document

KBC Advanced Technologies plc
Annual Results
31 December 2003
March 2004
Overview 2003

Difficult trading conditions persisted through most of the year exacerbated by the uncertainty created by the ownership discussions

Core business remains in good shape

Management team refreshed and have stabilised the business

Staff morale improved significantly in final quarter

Business being repositioned to improve the scope and depth of
engagement with clients and improve service differentiation

Progress on software development has been made - despite the
continuing legal dispute

£ results impacted by continuing weakness of $US

Dividend maintained
2
Operational highlights 2003

Began to reap the benefits of the two acquisitions made in 2002
Combined
KBC
PEL
revenue up 37%
Energy Services was the best performing business in 2003
enabled KBC to enter the strategic planning market

Significant new licence sales in US, Asia and South America and overall
software revenue up 10%

Expansion of RAM services into Upstream sector

Weakness in Europe and China contrasted with better conditions in the
Americas and Asia

Latin America continues to be strongest market with further multi-year
programmes added

First PIP in South Africa

Middle East, Korea and Japan continue to be strong areas of revenue
3
Summarised profit and loss account
12 months to
31 Dec 2003
£000
Turnover
Operating profit
Goodwill amortisation
Other operating exceptional items
Amounts written off fixed asset investment
Net Interest
Loss before tax
Taxation
Profit after tax
Dividends
Retained (loss)/profit
Earnings per share - basic
- fully diluted
- basic before goodwill
and exceptional items
Average number of shares in issue
4
12 months to
31 Dec 2002
£000
32,274
704
(490)
(2,397)
200
(1,983)
499
(1,484)
(1,906)
(3,390)
38,193
1,487
(467)
(3,011)
(1,451)
318
(3,124)
673
(2,451)
(1,938)
(4,389)
(3.19p)
(3.17p)
(5.08p)
(5.08p)
1.37p
46.5m
3.33p
48.2m
Foreign exchange impact
At 31Dec
2003
£000
At 31 Dec
2003
£000
at constant
exchange rate
At 31 Dec
2002
£000
Turnover
32,274
33,976
38,193
Operating costs
31,570
_____
32,767
_____
36,706
_____
704
1,209
1,487
Operating profit before goodwill
and exceptional items
5
Exceptional Costs
12 months to
31 Dec 2003
£000
12 months to
31 Dec 2002
£000
Software dispute, legal fees, etc
Acquisition integration
Reorganisation
Strategic review
ESOP share write down
1,325
878
194
____-
1,565
399
1,047
1,451
Total
2,397
4,462
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Summarised group cash flow statement
12 months to
31 Dec 2003
£000
Net cash from operations
Operating exceptional items
Net interest received
Tax (paid)/refunded
Capital expenditure
Dividends paid
Purchase of own shares
New shares issued
Translation difference
Net cash outflow from acquisitions
7
12 months to
31 Dec 2002
£000
275
(1,846)
200
769
(257)
(1,906)
(173)
(410)
1,257
(2,022)
318
(1,847)
(799)
(1,994)
(683)
36
(123)
(4,738)
(3,348)
(10,595)
Summarised group balance sheet
At 31 Dec
At 31 Dec
2003
£000
2002
£000
Fixed assets
Net current assets (excl cash)
Cash
Creditors due after 1 year
Provisions
Net assets
7,756
8,032
4,275
(300)
(1,180)
18,583
9,288
7,356
7,623
(600)
(1,100)
22,567
Share capital and reserves
Profit and loss
7,466
11,117
7,466
15,101
18,583
22,567
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Revenues by region
2003 12 mths - £m
2002 12 mths - £m
6.6
7.3
8.6
20%
27%
19%
53%
12.2
32%
49%
18.7
17
Europe/Middle East/Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe/Middle East/Africa
2001 12 mnths - £m
7.7
20%
22%
58%
22.5
11.8
Europe/Middle East/Africa
9
Americas
Asia
Americas
Asia
Revenues by business area
14.5
13.3
12.4
12.0
12.1
9.0
8.0
7.2
6.2 6.2
5.3 5.0
1.9
Process Consulting
H1'00
H2'00
2.4
5.5
2.8
1.7
2.1 2.2
Other Consulting
H1'01
H2'01
10
H1'02
1.8 1.9 1.8 1.6
Software
H2'02
H1'03
H2'03
2.2
Order book value
30
£ Millions
25
20
15
10
5
0
Dec-00
£35M
Jun-01
£40M
Dec-01
£28M
Jun-02
within next 12 mths - base fees
> 12 mths ahead - base fees
11
£29M
Dec-02
£24M
Jun-03
£20M
Dec-03
within next 12 mths - fees @ risk
> 12 mths ahead - fees @ risk
£22M
Consultant utilisation
90
80
74
73
75
72
70
74
65
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
H1
-
01
H2
-
H1
-
01
12
02
H2
-0
2
H1
-0
3
H2
-0
3
Strategy


Stabilise Business during 2004

Build platform for future sustainable growth

Neutralise impact of software dispute

Retain control on costs
Implement Strategy for Growth for 2005 and beyond

Strategic Planning Studies- Commercial and Technical experience

New software tools for plant optimisation and decision support

Develop technical services based on remote performance monitoring

Worldwide drive into Petrochemical

Expand into Upstream Oil & Gas

Refocus on Client Relationships and Regional Business strategies

Review capital structure & dividend policy:once software dispute settled
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